A reach is a broad span from close hauled to a DDW run. A close reach is to windward, upwind. A beam ream puts you pretty much at 90 degrees to the wind. A broad reach is further off the wind, downwind.

If a forum post uses a comment like, “we were on a reach,” it could be any of the 3 “reach” positions you mention: close, beam, broad, and anywhere in between. It is not “close hauled” or a downwind “run,” as KB said.

Keith

_________________2015 AI 2, 2014 Tandem

"Any intelligent fool can make things bigger and more complex ... It takes a touch of genius and a lot of courage to move in the opposite direction." A. Einstein

I'm probably more guilty than anyone for shortcut terms. Basically I use reach as a general term with the wind around 90 degrees, which is probably the worst point of sail on my boat and I try to avoid. with the wind coming from around 90 deg, I just call it a reach.Bob

In the "Hobie U" classes I attended, we were taught that a beam reach (90 degrees) is the most powerful point of sail for a catamaran. I can vouch for that. The one I got a chance to crew on (in 20+ knot winds) took off like a rocket on a beam reach!